My old Hero Puch moped: Should I restore it or junk it?

For the past 18 years, the moped has been sitting in the garage in a semi-covered state.

BHPian skrao recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi everyone. Wanted some advice on restoration.

Background:

This was my first owned vehicle. Bought after a lot of financial hardships and struggles.

I was a 20 year old and wanted to stop commuting by unreliable buses as they were eating into the scarce time between 2 jobs and college in 90s Bangalore. I had saved up enough to buy a vehicle but the popular new age 100cc bikes were out of reach and I didn't want any of the scooters from LML or Bajaj.

The second-hand market was also unreliable and didn't really like what was on offer at my price point.

And then, Hero announced a new product, a geared moped that was stylish, economical and powerful.

HERO PUCH

I used it for a few years before I had to shift out of Bangalore, my younger cousin used it for 7 to 8 years more. And then it sat in a semi-covered garage for over 18 years.

Dilemma now:

The place of storage is being cleaned out. I have a few choices that I need to decide on:

• Junk it, not worth restoring
• Restore it, will be a fun project
• Sell to someone who wants to restore
• Kick the decision down the road, find another storage space

Essentially heart or head?

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Junk it, man. There are better things to do with your time (the most valuable resource there is) & money. Considering you haven't used it for almost 2 decades shows there is little emotional attachment.

Either way, restoring a really old vehicle makes sense only if it is special. In the 4-wheeler world, it would mean a Jeep, Gypsy, Contessa or even Padmini. In the 2-wheeler world, maybe an RD350 or RX100. But a Hero Puch? No man.

Junk it. Find a better vehicle to spend your time on.

Here's what BHPian Mafia had to say on the matter:

I don't remember seeing a Hero Puch in a few years now. It must be a rare and collectable vehicle simply for emotional value.

If you are asking the question, then you may be unable to commit to the time and effort needed to restore the moped. Storing it for a few more years before restoring is another option, provided you have covered parking away from the rain.

You have to ask yourself if you will regret letting it go to junk in 5 or 10 years or it is from the past and the past is gone.

Used Hero Puch is available from 3000 to 10,000 INR on the web. Can't say anything about the condition of those mopeds. The used market pricing definitely reflects the desirability of the vehicles.

Here's what BHPian anjan_c2007 had to say on the matter:

Glad to read that you still own a Hero Puch, once a very sought after light, two-wheeler. I will not call it a moped is a light engined two-wheeler with pedals (motor with pedals). The word moped was coined by the Swedish journalist Harald Nielsen in 1952, as a combination of the Swedish words motor and pedaler.

The two-wheeler make is of Austrian origin and the collaborator was "Steyr Daimler Puch" as many may be knowing. The frame was monocoque and made of aluminium if I remember. It is a tough and enduring, little machine. From their presence as plenty on the roads, these have reduced drastically in numbers and are rare to sight now.

I would suggest you go for restoration by firstly getting connected with a mechanic who has worked on these and is reliable. Spares though a bit tough to procure should come along with lots of patience and maybe at a cost.

Here's what BHPian funkykar had to say on the matter:

As some of them rightly said, you really have to make a strong decision here. Such a vehicle unused for 2 decades means a complete overhaul. This would mean a lot of money. The costs of tinkering, painting, wheels, tires, etc are comparable to any similar bike. The mechanicals, mainly engine-related spares, cosmetic items, and the mechanic labor itself would be the core part of the restoration.

I have got several scooters restored and a Suvega restored very recently. Fortunately, I know some good mechanics, tinkers, and painters. I know several online sellers of parts too as part of my experience sourcing parts for my vehicles.

Remember one thing, you will have to consider the money you spend on restoration as if you never had that money. For any reason you have to sell it later, you may not be able to recover even half the money.

Go for it only if your heart strongly wants it. I will connect with you and help you in whatever way I can over PM.

If you could post some pictures, it would be great!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.